HMS Tyne (P281) | Royal Navy

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The first of the Royal Navy’s original generation of River Class ships, HMS Tyne has been serving the nation since the summer of 2003.

One of the busiest ships in the Fleet, HMS TYNE and sister ships MERSEY and SEVERN protect the integrity of UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Territorial Seas.

The Ship’s Company operate a watch rotation system that enables very high availability for operations. HMS TYNE is affiliated with the borough of North Tyneside.

Facts & figures

1,700

Total displacement

79.5 metres

Total length

20+ knots

Top speed

Our skills

UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Security – regularly patrolling the Atlantic, North Sea and English Channel, from north of the Shetlands to far out into the South Western Approaches.
Meeting the public at events across the UK and in Europe – more ports are open to River-class ships than the larger frigates and destroyers. HMS Tyne regularly flies the flag in these less well-visited areas.
Providing a training platform for navigation courses – Royal Navy Warfare Officers prepare for their Officer of the Watch examinations all over the Fleet, but the OPV is particularly well suited to developing the next generation of maritime leaders. Fleet Navigating Officers require intensive training and assessment at sea to be ready for duties, and HMS TYNE provides an agile and efficient training platform.
Tracking foreign warships through the UK area of influence – HMS TYNE safeguards our seas and territorial integrity, often in partnership with Allies, and is able to provide intelligence and surveillance as needed.
Ready for the unexpected – HMS TYNE can be called upon to support Search And Rescue (SAR) or Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) tasks.

Current operation

Maritime Security

Global

British ships and units, which include the Royal Marines, are committed to operations around the world.

Previous deployment

Alongside

Alongside in her home port of Falmouth. Training our team and maintaining our equipment to make sure we are fighting fit for the challenge.

Our base

Portsmouth

Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Commander Hugo Floyer

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HMS Tyne's role

Our principal mission is to conduct Maritime Security and Marine Enforcement Operations throughout the UK’s Territorial Seas and Exclusive Economic Zone.

Rotating her crew periodically, Tyne is almost constantly at sea in home waters, making her ideal as the eyes and ears of the Navy around the UK.
Change the photo to show the new Western Approaches camouflage.

Gallery

HMS Tyne sailing under Tower Bridge in London

HMS Tyne

HMS Tyne

HMS Tyne

See all 10 images

Unit history

1814

The First Tyne

The first HMS Tyne was a 28-gun 6th rate launched at Topsham. In 1823, her boats captured the pirate schooner Zaragozana in the Bahamas. She was sold in 1825.

1826

The Second Tyne

This 8-gun 6th rate saw service in North American waters, then transferred to the South America station, sailing more than 82,000 miles.

1826

Crimean War

Her last three commissions were spent in the Mediterranean. In 1854-55 she earned her first battle honour for the Crimean War.

1867

A short-lived ship!

36-gun fifth rate HMS Active was renamed HMS Tyne (the third) but became HMS Durham in November.

1909

The Fourth Tyne

The Moss Line Merchant ship SS Mariotis was purchased for completion as a troopship and store carrier, though sadly sank in 1920.

1938

The Fifth HMS Tyne

Laid down in 1938 as a destroyer depot ship. She launched in 1940.

1944

Flagship

She became the flagship of Rear Admiral (Destroyers), Home Fleet until 1944, when she left Scapa for her first refit since commissioning.

1945

British Pacific Fleet

After a work-up at Scapa, HMS Tyne sailed for Ceylon and arrived at Trincomalee in December.

1950

Flying the flag in the Med

After a refit at Devonport, she returned to service in 1950, joining the Mediterranean Fleet as the flagship of Flag Officer Flotillas.

1954

Flagship of the Commander-in-Chief

In 1954 she was refitted and converted for use as the flagship of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet.

1961

HMS Tyne finally paid off

Placed in operational reserve and employed as a harbour accommodation ship. She was eventually sold for recyling in 1972.

2013

HMS Tyne 10-year anniversary

She underwent a major refit to become our most up-to-date RCOPV – the Ship’s Company commissioned a portrait to celebrate!

2023

HMS Tyne 20-year anniversary

The Ship received the longest and most intensive refit ever performed upon a River Class OPV. After a full workup for operations, in July 2023 HMS TYNE paid a visit to North Shields, her affiliated port on the River TYNE, to celebrate 20 years from her commissioning ceremony there on 4 July 2003.

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